Bellator on brink of losing Hector Lombard

With Eddie Alvarez possibly fighting for the final time in Bellator next month before likely signing with the UFC it looks like another champion could be following suit in the near future, albeit one still possessing a title instead of wearing the “former” label.

Hector Lombard, widely considered one of the best middleweights in the world based on his overwhelming amount of success against respected adversaries, is apparently a restricted free agent with only a few weeks remaining in an exclusive negotiation period with Bellator. CEO Bjorn Rebney confirmed the news while serving as a guest on MMAJunkie Radio where he made his company’s stance clear.

“We’re trying to work dynamics with him (and) see if we can put a deal together,” said Rebney of Lombard. “If we can’t put a deal together, he’ll be able to go out to the open market and talk to the UFC, and if he gets an offer, we have the right to match it.”

“So it’s going to come down to a business decision for him,” Rebney continued. “He’s a tremendous, tremendously talented athlete. He’s at his peak; he’s at his prime. As a fan with my CEO hat off, I think Hector Lombard is the best middleweight in MMA. So we would obviously like to have him continue to fight here, and if we’re not able to come to an agreement, he’ll go and get other offers and then we’ll make a decision whether we’re going to match those offers or let him go.”

Were there any question surrounding the UFC’s interest in bring Lombard on board to spice up the division it was answered in recent weeks when UFC President Dana White was in Australia for UFC on FX 2 and responded to a question about Lombard based on his popularity in the region.

“I hear he’s under contract though with someone else, so we’ll see,” White replied. “I’ll probably end up with him. If he wants to fight in the UFC, then we’ll probably end up with him.”

Lombard holds an overall record of 31-2 who is 24-0-1 in his last 25 fights. Among his numerous impressive victories, 24 of which have involved some form of stoppage, the American Top Teamer has beaten Alexander Shlemenko, Joe Doersken, Niko Vitale, Trevor Prangley, and Brian Ebersole.

Lombard is one of those guys that we just won’t know how good he really is until he gets in the UFC. I’d don’t think he’s ready for AS but I’d like to see him against Bisping or even Chael if he loses to Silva.

although he’s one of their big drawers it wouldnt actually be that bad for Bellator, they never have anyone for him to fight except the tourney winners, the other fights they put on for him are very low quality

No slight to Schlemenko because he’s impressed me, but he is extremely small for the division and was able to go the distance with Lombard, which I think indicates that a bigger, stronger equally skilled opponent would have had the upper hand on Hector.

Those are the kinds of fights he’ll get in the UFC, and without first 30 second stoppages he won’t fair as well. Still wana see it though.